Posts Tagged Chinese post-partum rituals

My partner, Guo Jian, has been priming me for the “moon month” or zuo yuezi 坐月子.
When my in-laws were here a couple of weeks ago (the precursor to their more permanent visit before the baby’s arrival) and we were downstairs helping to unload the car, a perfect stranger noticed my advanced pregnant shape, the presence of parental figures and Guo Jian and I helping them with their things. This stranger very confidently turned to Guo Jian and half-asked and half-stated, “Your parents have come to help you through the moon month?” To this woman, there could be nothing more obvious. Read more »

I've been in Germany Ten years now, Lived in Frankfurt and Stuttgart, specifically Leonberg. In Frankfurt I was shocked by how unfriendly the People were, how aggressive their Drivers, but in Leonbe...From Are Germans Really Rude?

At DreamAfrica, we are a streaming app for animations and films from around the world. We celebrate cultural representation in digital media and invite you to download and share our DreamAfrica appp...From What We Are Not About

Imagine those people who work at your typical IT Department, yeah those weirdos with low EQ, no manners, no social skills; indeed those who kiss the bosses' ass when it's convenient, but get offend...From Are Germans Really Rude?

I contacted the editor of this magazine (Stephanie) and she told me she'd inform Jan about this article.
I have since changed my mind about going to Germany because of Merkel's policies, and this i...From Are Germans Really Rude?

@Daniela
You speak BS, you have never seen Franconia, or you're a Franconian girl. In the second case, I know that no intellectual conversation could be made with Franconian people, because you'r...From Are Germans Really Rude?

I'm back. Sorry, I stopped caring for this magazine for a while and forgot to discuss the meat of the matter.
This article, as well as the linked article from 2011, fails to discuss cultural norms ...From What Confused Me Most about Brits

Fascinating. I have been to Germany and met this guy who was soo rude! This article explains everything!! Since all Germans are so terribly rude it should come as no surprise that I should have met ...From Are Germans Really Rude?

@ Josep. How could you possibly comment on how Germans treat people if you have never even been there? A three-day stay in Berlin and a one day stop-over in Frankfurt was enough for me to see the ut...From Are Germans Really Rude?

@Oceania
To me it looks like you're demonstrating the same kind of rudeness you (claim to) condemn. Please open your mind a little and stop living in the past. New Zealand has its own problems as w...From Are Germans Really Rude?

@Joseph
Dear Joseph, If you were never in Germany, why do you think you can preach me on experiences almost every other expat had in here? I wrote that post 4 years ago, and what my toughts were ...From Are Germans Really Rude?

I think, in general, Deutschland struggles with emotional intelligence. It's been repressed and underrated for so long that it's atrophied somewhat. Reminds me of an interesting study recently, in w...From Are Germans Really Rude?

[…] Peru, 97 percent of newborns are breastfed, according to LLLI. In Culture Parent reported that 69 percent of Peruvian children are breastfed exclusively from birth to five months, and ou...From Breastfeeding Around the World

[…] Muslims fast for 30 days every year for Ramadan, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. Ramadan this year is happening during most of the month […...From Ramadan: June 28-July 28

[…] Raising a Little Buddha – Part 1, InCulture Parent — Post by a Buddhist Minister about raising an enlightened child. It starts with intimacy, communication, and community. [R...From How to Raise an Enlightened Child — Part I

[…] Best and Worst Countries to be a Mother, InCulture Parent – “The 2010 Mothers’ Index rates 160 countries (43 developed nations and 117 in the developing world) in terms of th...From Best and Worst Countries to be a Mother

[…] What’s Easter without a Whipping?, InCulture Parent — a post about the Czech tradition of men and boys whipping women on Easter. I found this very troubling. [̷...From What’s Easter without a Whipping?

I have been living in Germany for about 8 or 9 months now, and a lot of these comments are absolutely spot on. I came here from the US, having heard of none of these "negative stereotypes," (I actua...From Are Germans Really Rude?

I'm in a choir at my church, and one of our new members is very pushy. We don't expect her to be perfect (and she's not!) but she seems to hover, making sure our music is in order, bringing arm load...From Are Germans Really Rude?

It is very difficult to deal with swabian in laws.
They don't like expressing affection and tend to be critical.
I gave up on trying to please them when I am feeling lonely, empty and hopeless. D...From Are Germans Really Rude?

I don't intend to come off as rude myself. I've never been to Germany before, but these generalisations are unacceptable, especially since many others (not in this site, of course) have had positive...From Are Germans Really Rude?

@M. White
Was he mistreating you? If not, then don't divorce. Ask him what's considered polite and what's not. Please read about cultural differences before lumping all Germans as rude. Sure, some ...From Are Germans Really Rude?

@Jill
Don't give up too easily. Study the culture a little, learn the language, and treat them with respect. Maybe then you might have a better time. Sorry about your experience.
I've never been t...From Are Germans Really Rude?

@Tonya
It's usually not a good idea to smile at strangers. Germans usually smile towards family members and close friends. Maybe you just had a bad experience. Sorry to hear about tha...From Are Germans Really Rude?